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I been to a cruise before i suggest to bring a least 400 in cash because you will see a lot of stuff that you might like . And also be awared cruises dont include alcohol beverages so you will have to pay for them from your pocket also they will try to make you pay like 200 $ on tips but be aware this is up to you .dont be fooled

I always plan accordingly though. We never venture TOO far from port, CLEARLY express my wants/needs to the guide I am dealing with on my itinerary/schedule, and always finished the excursions with hours to spare. If we returned to the ship early, we just hit a beach or grab a meal close to the port. Knowing the risks and preparing for emergencies outweighed the 2x and 3x cost of booking through the cruise line. Of course no one can predict the future, but just don't put yourself in the situation where you CAN get stranded, or heaven forbid, robbed.

Prime example:

Grand Cayman, Stingray City.

Booking through the cruise line to go on a tour of Stingray City was $89pp (if I remember correctly) to be herded like cattle onto a bus, onto a boat, and into the water to see the rays. I booked through a local guy who had AWESOME reviews on cruise critic, for my family of 3 for $90 TOTAL, and I tipped him $50 because we had such a great time. There were 8 people on our catamaran, while the cruise ship packed 50-60 people on a "people hauler boat". It was pathetic. We went to the exact same place, but we were there LONGER, and went snorkeling along with the Rays, which was included in the price.

timmay77 I told my girlfriend about what you said and she is worried that once we get to port then everything will be booked and we wont be able to do any activities. I also read online a few people who went that route and we stuck on the beach because more people are trying to save money on the excursions by doing them at the port rather then through the carnival cruise line.

timmay77 I told my girlfriend about what you said and she is worried that once we get to port then everything will be booked and we wont be able to do any activities. I also read online a few people who went that route and we stuck on the beach because more people are trying to save money on the excursions by doing them at the port rather then through the carnival cruise line.

Basically if I try to do this and it ends up backfiring im F*cked

Just book normally for your first cruise. You are talking about a few hundred dollars on a total of a few thousand. Not worth the stress.

Smuggle some hard liquor in your bags and you will save the few hundred on drinks.

It has nothing to do with money, it has to do with being on an excursion with 100 people as apposed to >5. I'm on vacation I'm not trying to be cheap but I'm trying to get the best adventure for my money. For all I care they could be the same price but I'd rather have a more one on one rather then a needle in a haystack ya know?

It has nothing to do with money, it has to do with being on an excursion with 100 people as apposed to >5. I'm on vacation I'm not trying to be cheap but I'm trying to get the best adventure for my money. For all I care they could be the same price but I'd rather have a more one on one rather then a needle in a haystack ya know?

I have had like a 90% happy rate with cruise booked excursions myself.

I would imagine, if you were not happy, you would be better off dealing with the ship than some local dude.

Also, ports get skipped or the ship arrives late due to weather, emergencies, whatever. When this happens your excursion for the port is automatically refunded.

The coffee other than espresso sucked. Bring instant...get an electric stovetop maker. On board, it was $2.50 to buy an espresso.

The 'special restaurant' was $35. Service was better, as was the food, but not that much better.

Outside of the buffets, there was 24/7 pizza and hamburgers...always open coffee and lemonade. Soda was extra. Drink pass was $50 for all day long drinking.

If you smoke...you can buy duty free cigs on board and smoke them ($30-35/carton)...liquor stays in duty free until you disembark.

If you drink whiskey...they'll be a bar that does a tasting menu...4 whiskeys for $15...and they offer it every night even though they don't promote it.

All room service personnel will service your every need. If you need a release of 'steam,' just say to the guy who's cleaning your room, "Danilo, can you clean my spigot really, really good." He'll look at you funny at first, but if you smile, you'll be good.

Oh, the port excursion fees Carnival charged were kind of crazy. Maybe $100-150/person. At both ports, right off the dock practically were all these guys holding up various rates for local rides in smaller shuttles...we did 6 hours for 8 of us for $300. Would have been $1,000 through Carnival. If it's just you and another...not as big a difference...but with 'private' driver, you have more control over where you go.

If you have a balcony in your room, you may smoke on it. Oh, bring binoculars too. I saw porpoises and whales (sort of).

Agree with timmay...get your own excursions, but to the extent that you can, do research online on cruise critic first and look for the best reviewed private tour people. that way your wifey had peace of mind that she won't miss out on anything. don't go with the cruise excursions, profit. for peace of mind about the ship leaving without you, ask the private party (via email/etc. before the trip) what their accommodation would be, if for example, their car/boat broke down or something. shouldn't be too hard to manage.

edit:
if you get chummy with some senior cruise staff and get their number, i'm sure you can cover yourself for those emergencies.